The next day, Fiona Li returned.
Ian Song wasn’t surprised; with Raymond Lei’s shrewdness, he was certain Raymond would agree to his plan.
“Brother, when should we head out? Old Song, Old Tu, and Marcus Meng are all waiting for you at the Blood River Battlefield!” Fiona Li rubbed her hands together impatiently. Last time, she’d racked up plenty of easy military merit following Ian Song. If things went well this time, she’d earn a special commendation, and in a few years, a promotion to commander would be in the bag. Right now, she was clearly eager to get moving.
“No rush. I’m both Sect Master and Alliance Leader now. Even if I’m leaving, I have to get things settled here first. Give me a day at most, and I’ll go with you to the Blood River Battlefield!”
After reassuring Fiona Li, Ian Song quickly called together all the Supreme Elders of the Pristine Way Sect.
He’d spent a month in seclusion, refining a huge stockpile of pills. By repeatedly using the Pill Condensation Technique and restoring his mental power with the Meditation Formula, his mental power had grown by a full one hundred points over the month.
Strengthening mental power this way was actually pretty effective.
With his departure approaching, Ian Song made three arrangements.
First, Jason Chen and Cole Chong Duan would handle all South Domain Martial Alliance affairs.
Second, Elder Shea and Elder Carl Cang would oversee all Pristine Way Sect matters. As for his master Darren Fang Easton, he was still in seclusion, focused on sword-dao, so Ian Song couldn’t entrust sect affairs to him.
Third, all pills would be managed by Old Ox and two others. Whether for Pristine Way Sect or the Alliance Chamber of Commerce, everyone would need to go to Old Ox’s team to get them.
No one had any objections to Ian Song’s arrangements.
Once he’d settled things for Pristine Way Sect and the South Domain Martial Alliance, Ian Song headed straight for Harriet Gu’s small courtyard.
Harriet Gu knew he was leaving for the Blood River Battlefield and was reluctant to part, but she didn’t complain about Ian Song’s lack of time with her. After months of diligent cultivation, she’d reached the mid-stage of the Grandmaster realm.
Since they were about to part, of course they shared a tender moment.
Ian Song stayed in Harriet Gu’s courtyard until night had fallen before leaving.
When Ian Song returned to his own courtyard, he saw Lynn Ning waiting at the gate, looking just like a little wife awaiting her husband’s return.
Now, Tyson and Wes had both been promoted to Inner Sect disciples by Ian Song.
Their cultivation was too low, so all they could do by Ian Song’s side was run errands. Though they were technically servants, Ian Song never treated them that way, so he used his position to have them promoted to Inner Sect disciples.
"Brother Huang, you’re back. I’ve already made dinner."
Lynn Ning greeted him with a face full of joy.
Seeing this scene, Ian Song felt deeply conflicted again. From the current situation, Lynn Ning’s feelings for him were growing deeper, but he could not accept her, since he had killed her brother.
So the best solution would be to send Lynn Ning away, but Ian Song could not bear to let this kind and simple girl go.
Sigh, let things take their course.
Ian Song sighed softly and went up to greet her with a smile.
After dinner, Lynn Ning brewed a cup of tea for Ian Song, then cleared the dishes from the table and took them to the kitchen to wash.
Watching her busy, petite figure, Ian Song was suddenly struck by the realization that he had grown used to being cared for by Lynn Ning.
After cleaning the dishes, Lynn Ning busied herself fetching water and mopping the floor. Ian Song beckoned to her: "Ling'er, stop fussing, come here, I have something to tell you."
"Brother Huang, what is it?"
"Come here first."
Mm.
Lynn Ning nodded shyly, then sat beside him on the sofa—though there was still some distance between them. The hardwood sofa had been custom-made by Ian Song.
"Ling'er, do you have any wishes you want to fulfill?" Ian Song asked softly.
Lynn Ning thought seriously for a moment, then looked at Ian Song, her pretty cheeks flushing. "Brother Huang, I feel very happy now and very satisfied. I have no other wishes!"
Actually, there was one thing she hadn’t said: she wanted to serve Brother Huang for her whole life, but as a girl, she couldn’t say that aloud.
Sigh!
Seeing Ling'er’s expression, Ian Song couldn’t help but sigh again. If nothing unexpected happened, Lynn Ning would only sink deeper into his whirlpool, which he didn’t want to see—but he had no solution.
The next moment, Ian Song said, "Ling'er, do you want to become a Pristine Way Sect disciple like Tyson and Wes?"
Lynn Ning was stunned, her expression suddenly panicked and tearful. "Brother Huang, are you trying to send me away? Did I do something wrong to make you dislike me?"
For no reason, Ian Song felt a pang of heartache. "Don’t worry, Ling'er. How could I ever dislike you? I just asked casually. Since I’ll be away for a while, I was worried you’d be lonely, so I thought of making you a Pristine Way Sect disciple. That way, you’d have more friends to spend time with!"